Etnobotanično izročilo v slovenskih ljudskih ljubezenskih pesmih

Odnos med človekom in rastlinami lahko raziskujemo na različne načine, med drugim ga lahko zaznamo tudi skozi proučevanje ustnega in pisnega izročila naših prednikov, na primer pripovedi ali ljudskih pesmi. V okviru raziskave smo želeli izvedeti, kako pogosto so v slovenskih ljubezenskih ljudskih pesmih zastopane rastlinske vrste, katere vrste se pojavljajo in kakšna je njihova vloga ter njihov simbolni pomen. V ta namen smo analizirali 3722 slo- venskih ljudskih pesmi, zapisanih do začetka 20. stoletja. Analiza je pokazala, da so rastline omenjene v 410 pesmih, skupno pa smo v pesmih zabeležili 63 različnih rastlinskih taksonov. Najpogosteje so omenjeni rožmarin, nagelj, ja- blana oz. jabolko in pšenica, sledijo jim nemški rožmarin, javor, lilija, trta, vrtnica, lipa in druge. Večina omemb rastlin v ljudskih ljubezenskih pesmih je povezanih z izkazovanjem ljubezni, z lepoto ter z žalostjo ali smrtjo

Utjecaj ispaše, sukcesije i košnje na proljetnu faunu danjih leptira (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) na suhim krškim livadama i pašnjacima

Karst meadows belonging to the class Festuco-Brometea are regarded as species-rich habitats of national and European importance. Biodiversity in these areas is relatively high, but unlike most other semi-natural habitat types, it is highly influenced and facilitated by human activities. In the present study we document the presence and estimate abundance of butterfly species from three sampling plots in Kraški rob (SW Slovenia): two dry karst meadows and one pasture, which also includes an overgrown area. Over 16-day sampling occasions in May and June 2012, 63 species (including species complexes) were recorded. Nearly all of the species were recorded from dry karst meadows (60 ssp., 95%), while pasture (34 spp., 54%) and the overgrown site (28 spp., 44%) were less diverse. The abundance of butterflies was the lowest on the overgrown area. Although both grazing and overgrowth result in a decline in the number and abundance of species, we believe that traditional land use positively affects butterfly diversity, as it maintains open grasslands, a habitat that is preferred by most butterfly species to the later phases of succession. We therefore recommend the maintenance of a mosaic landscape structure, as it supports a wide range of butterfly fauna.Krške livade razreda Festuco-Brometea su vrstama bogata staništa od nacionalne i europske važnosti. Bioraznolikost na tim područjima je relativno visoka, no u suprotnosti s nekim drugim poluprirodnim staništima, njihova bioraznolikost je pod velikim utjecajem ljudske aktivnosti. U ovom istraživanju smo zabilježili prisutnost i procijenili brojnost danjih leptira na tri uzorkovane plohe na Kraškom rubu (jugozapadna Slovenija): dvije krške livade i jednom pašnjaku koji je uključivao i zarasla područja. Tijekom 16-dnevnog terenskog istraživanja u svibnju i lipnju 2012., zabilježili smo 63 vrste leptira (uključujući i komplekse vrsta). Gotovo sve vrste su bile zabilježene na suhim krškim livadama (60 vrsta, 95%), dok je na pašnjaku (34 vrste, 54%) i na zaraslom području (28 vrsta, 44%) raznolikost bila manja. Brojnost leptira je bila najmanja na zaraslim površinama. Iako i zaraštanje i ispaša imaju za posljedicu opadanje u broju vrsta i brojnosti, smatramo da tradicionalno korištenje zemlje pozitivno utječe na raznolikost leptira. Razlog za to je prije svega sprječavanje zaraštanja livada, koje leptiri preferiraju više od staništa u kasnijim fazama sukcesije. Zato predlažemo održavanje mozaične strukture krajolika, jer će na taj način on biti primjeren za veći broj vrsta leptira

Utjecaj ispaše, sukcesije i košnje na proljetnu faunu danjih leptira (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) na suhim krškim livadama i pašnjacima

Karst meadows belonging to the class Festuco-Brometea are regarded as species-rich habitats of national and European importance. Biodiversity in these areas is relatively high, but unlike most other semi-natural habitat types, it is highly influenced and facilitated by human activities. In the present study we document the presence and estimate abundance of butterfly species from three sampling plots in Kraški rob (SW Slovenia): two dry karst meadows and one pasture, which also includes an overgrown area. Over 16-day sampling occasions in May and June 2012, 63 species (including species complexes) were recorded. Nearly all of the species were recorded from dry karst meadows (60 ssp., 95%), while pasture (34 spp., 54%) and the overgrown site (28 spp., 44%) were less diverse. The abundance of butterflies was the lowest on the overgrown area. Although both grazing and overgrowth result in a decline in the number and abundance of species, we believe that traditional land use positively affects butterfly diversity, as it maintains open grasslands, a habitat that is preferred by most butterfly species to the later phases of succession. We therefore recommend the maintenance of a mosaic landscape structure, as it supports a wide range of butterfly fauna.Krške livade razreda Festuco-Brometea su vrstama bogata staništa od nacionalne i europske važnosti. Bioraznolikost na tim područjima je relativno visoka, no u suprotnosti s nekim drugim poluprirodnim staništima, njihova bioraznolikost je pod velikim utjecajem ljudske aktivnosti. U ovom istraživanju smo zabilježili prisutnost i procijenili brojnost danjih leptira na tri uzorkovane plohe na Kraškom rubu (jugozapadna Slovenija): dvije krške livade i jednom pašnjaku koji je uključivao i zarasla područja. Tijekom 16-dnevnog terenskog istraživanja u svibnju i lipnju 2012., zabilježili smo 63 vrste leptira (uključujući i komplekse vrsta). Gotovo sve vrste su bile zabilježene na suhim krškim livadama (60 vrsta, 95%), dok je na pašnjaku (34 vrste, 54%) i na zaraslom području (28 vrsta, 44%) raznolikost bila manja. Brojnost leptira je bila najmanja na zaraslim površinama. Iako i zaraštanje i ispaša imaju za posljedicu opadanje u broju vrsta i brojnosti, smatramo da tradicionalno korištenje zemlje pozitivno utječe na raznolikost leptira. Razlog za to je prije svega sprječavanje zaraštanja livada, koje leptiri preferiraju više od staništa u kasnijim fazama sukcesije. Zato predlažemo održavanje mozaične strukture krajolika, jer će na taj način on biti primjeren za veći broj vrsta leptira

ConservePlants: An integrated approach to conservation of threatened plants for the 21st Century

Even though plants represent an essential part of our lives offering exploitational, supporting and cultural services, we know very little about the biology of the rarest and most threatened plant species, and even less about their conservation status. Rapid changes in the environment and climate, today more pronounced than ever, affect their fitness and distribution causing rapid species declines, sometimes even before they had been discovered. Despite the high goals set by conservationists to protect native plants from further degradation and extinction, the initiatives for the conservation of threatened species in Europe are scattered and have not yielded the desired results. The main aim of this Action is to improve plant conservation in Europe through the establishment of a network of scientists and other stakeholders who deal with different aspects of plant conservation, from plant taxonomy, ecology, conservation genetics, conservation, physiology and reproductive biology to protected area's managers, not forgetting social scientists, who are crucial when dealing with the general public.Non peer reviewe

assessment of the conservation status of Blagayʼs daphne (Daphne blagayana) with phylogeographic analysis

Blagajev volčin (Daphne blagayana) je nizka polegla grmovnica iz družine volčinovk (Thymelaeaceae). Zaradi svoje redkosti je praktično v vseh državah, v katerih se pojavlja, zavarovan z nacionalnimi akti. Namen naloge je bil ovrednotiti varstveni status Blagajevega volčina na podlagi različnih molekularnih markerjev. Današnji areal Blagajevega volčina je fragmentiran in obsega Balkanski polotok in južne romunske Karpate. Način nastanka fragmentiranih nahajališč ni znan. Po eni od razlag naj bi Blagajev volčin v interglacialu zasedal strnjen areal in se iz njega širil proti severu in severozahodu, po drugi pa naj bi bila fragmentirana severna nahajališča posledica razkosanja v glacialu in kot taka naj bi se ohranila do danes. Način nastanka izoliranih populacij igra vlogo pri znotrajpopulacijski in medpopulacijski genski variabilnosti, kar posledično vpliva tudi na varstvo vrste. Vzorčenje Blagajevega volčina je potekalo na 21 lokacijah znotraj celotnega areala vrste v letih 2009 in 2010. Kot orodje za oceno varstvenega statusa smo uporabili kloroplastno DNA ter AFLP markerje. V filogeografsko analizo smo vključili 95 rastlin iz vseh 21 populacij. Raziskava je temeljila na analizi petih medgenskih vmesnikov kloroplastne DNA: rpl20-rps12, atpB-rbcL, trnL-F, psbA-trnH ter trnK-matK skupaj z genom matK. Rezultati kažejo na obstoj treh skupin: severne skupine, ki vključuje slovenske in italijanske populacije, južne skupine, ki vključuje populacije iz Makedonije, Črne gore in Stolca (BiH) ter osrednje skupine, ki vključuje ostale vzorčene populacije. Tako haplotipna kot nukleotidna raznovrstnost sta najvišji v osrednji, najnižji pa v severni skupini. V drugem delu raziskave smo s pomočjo dominantnih AFLP markerjev ocenili genetsko strukturo izbranih 13 populacij ter ocenili genski pretok med njimi. Rezultati kažejo na razmeroma močno genetsko diferenciacijo vrste (FST = 0,4) in na odsotnost genskega pretoka med oddaljenimi populacijami. S pomočjo programov STRUCTURE in BAPS smo populacije razvrstili v skupine, ki pa niso popolnoma usklajene s skupinami glede na kloroplastno DNA. Neusklajenost vzorcev, ki jih kažeta kloroplastna DNA in AFLP, lahko pripišemo različnim načinom razmnoževanja posameznih populacij ter različnemu načinu dedovanja kloroplastne in jedrne DNA. Na podlagi obeh markerskih sistemov lahko za Blagajev volčin predlagamo identifikacijo treh evolucijsko pomembnih enot (angl. Evolutionary significant unitsESU) in ene dodatne upravljavske enote (angl. Management unitsMU), na katere bi se moralo osredotočiti varovanje vrste v prihodnosti.Blagay\u27s daphne (Daphne blagayana) is a small decumbent bush from the family Thymelaeaceae. Due to its rarity it is protected by national legislation in almost all countries within its range. The aim of this work was to assess the conservation status of Blagay\u27s daphne (Daphne blagayana) throughout its distribution range, using chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) and AFLP markers. The present distribution of D. blagayana is fragmented and comprises the Balkan Peninsula and the southern Romanian Carpathians. However, the mechanism leading to such fragmented distribution range is not well understood. According to one interpretation, D. blagayana had a smaller distribution range during the interglacial, after which it expanded north and northwest. According to another interpretation, the fragmented areal is the result of fragmentation during the glacial and is still preserved today. The mechanisms leading to isolated populations play an important role in within-and between-population genetic variability, which in turn is relevant to species conservation.Sampling of D. blagayana was conducted at 21 locations across the entire distribution range in 2009 and 2010. cpDNA and AFLP markers were used as a tool for assessing its conservation status. The phylogeographic analysis included 95 plants from 21 populations. The study was based on the analysis of five spacer regions of chloroplast DNA: rpl20-rps12, atp-BrbcL, trnL-F, psbA-trnH and trnK%matK with the gene matK. The results suggest the existence of three clusters: the northern cluster (SLO), including Slovenian and Italian populations, the southern cluster (J), including populations from Macedonia, Montenegro and Stolac (BiH), and the central cluster (SR), including the remaining populations. Both haplotype and nucleotide diversity were highest in the central cluster and lowest in the northern cluster.In the second part of the study we assessed genetic structure and gene flow between 13 selected populations using dominant AFLP markers. The results showed a relatively strong genetic differentation (FST = 0.4) and absence of gene flow among distant populations. Using programs STRUCTURE and BAPS populations were subdivided into 2 and 7 groups, respectively. The groupings proposed by STRUCTURE and BAPS are not fully congruent with cpDNA clusters. This incongruence might be attributed to different reproduction strategies within populations, and to different modes of inheritance of chloroplast and nuclear DNA.Based on both marker systems we can suggest the identification of three evolutionarily significant units (ESU) and one additional management unit (MU), on which conservation efforts should be focused in the future

Seed dormancy and germination of the rare, high elevation Balkan endemic Cerastium dinaricum (Caryophyllaceae)

Short or long-term ex situ conservation is becoming increasingly important in conservation of plants in today’s changing environments. One of the important steps in ex situ conservation is the collection and storage of seeds and the consequent establishment of seed germination protocols. Cerastium dinaricum (Caryophyllaceae) is an endemic, high elevation and rare species of European conservation concern. Because of its severely fragmented distribution along the Dinaric Alps, the populations are likely to undergo further shrinkage in the future, which addresses the need of a long-term effective conservation management. From the potential ex situ population management perspective, we focused our study on germination ecology of C. dinaricum. The study revealed that temperature considerably affected the germination of seeds, which germinate better at 20 °C rather than 10 °C. A period of cold-wet stratification also significantly improved the final germination percentage with more pronounced increase at 20 °C, while addition of GA3 increased the final germination percentage by breaking the dormancy of non-stratified seeds. Mechanical scarification did not improve germination; on the contrary, it resulted in the lowest germination success. Seeds grown in complete darkness germinated significantly better compared to control when they were exposed to cold-wet stratification. Contrary to previous studies on some alpine species, which germinate better when exposed to light, dark treatment resulted in the highest germination percentages with 70 and 90% germination success after 4 and 8 weeks of stratification, respectively.We thank the Croatian Environment Agency for collection permits for Croatia (no. 517-07-1-1-1-16-4) and the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation (no. 35603-4/2016 - 3) for providing seeds from the Slovenian population; Jure Jugovic for technical assistance; Jana Laganis for help in the field work in Slovenia, Jasenka Topić for the help in organising the fieldwork in Croatia and the anonymous referees for valuable comments on the manuscript.Peer reviewe

Increasing understanding of alien species through citizen science (Alien-CSI)

International audienceThere is no sign of saturation in accumulation of alien species (AS) introductions worldwide, additionally the rate of spread for some species has also been shown to be increasing. However, the challenges of gathering information on AS are recognized. Recent developments in citizen science (CS) provide an opportunity to improve data flow and knowledge on AS while ensuring effective and high quality societal engagement with the issue of IAS (Invasive Alien Species). Advances in technology, particularly on-line recording and smartphone apps, along with the development of social media, have revolutionized CS and increased connectivity while new and innovative analysis techniques are emerging to ensure appropriate management, visualization, interpretation and use and sharing of the data. In early July 2018 we launched a European CO-operation in Science and Technology (COST) Action to address multidisciplinary research questions in relation to developing and implementing CS, advancing scientific understanding of AS dynamics while informing decision-making specifically implementation of technical requirements of relevant legislation such as the EU Regulation 1143/2014 on IAS. It will also support the EU biodiversity goals and embedding science within society. The Action will explore and document approaches to establishing a European-wide CS AS network. It will embrace relevant innovations for data gathering and reporting to support the implementation of monitoring and surveillance measures, while ensuring benefits for society and citizens, through an AS CS European network. The Action will, therefore, increase levels of participation and quality of engagement with current CS initiatives, ensuring and evaluating educational value, and improve the value outcomes for potential users including citizens, scientists, alien species managers, policy-makers, local authorities, industry and other stakeholders